Travel guide
Guinea-Bissau
Know before you go: timing, entry, health, and logistics for Guinea-Bissau.
- When to go
- The best time to visit is during the dry season from November to May, when roads are passable and island travel is easiest. The cooler months of November through February are the most comfortable, with lower humidity and pleasant temperatures ideal for exploring the coast and the Bijagos Archipelago.
- Visa and entry
- US and EU citizens require a visa to enter Guinea-Bissau. An e-visa can be arranged online before departure, and a visa on arrival is also issued at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport in Bissau, though securing one in advance is strongly recommended. A passport valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry is required, along with proof of Yellow Fever vaccination.
- Health
- A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for all travelers entering Guinea-Bissau. Routine vaccinations (Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus, and Polio) should be up-to-date. Malaria is present throughout the country year-round, so antimalarial prophylaxis and diligent mosquito-bite precautions are strongly advised.
- Currency
- West African CFA Franc (XOF)
- Language
- Portuguese; Kriol widely spoken
- Getting around
- Internal travel is arranged for you: private guided road transfers and light-aircraft hops between parks and regions, with airport meet-and-greet throughout.
